CHILLING THREAT

BOJO IS A GO-GO

Don’t panic Britain but Boris Johnson is in charge of the country this week while Theresa May is on holiday

Mark, who has been at Weymouth for 12 years, added: "It’s the abuse/refusals about asking for money from people watching and the lack of respect for what I do and my property and abusive emails and now texts."

Since the shock announcement last Friday, Mark has been overwhelmed with messages of support which has prompted him to consider continuing for another year.

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Punch and Judy shows have been labelled as politically incorrect by some domestic violence campaigners

Glyn Edwards, of the Punch and Judy College of Professors said: "It would be very sad to see the Weymouth show come to an end.

"Hearing what has happened to Mark has come as a great surprise.

"It is always the case when you are out as a street performer that you are going to get some problems with drunks and yobs, but they tend to be the same drunks and yobs who cause problems for everyone in the town.

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The puppet shows started waning in popularity as British families began to head abroad for summer holidays

"I am very surprised that he has had a problem with children."

Weymouth councillor Jason Osborne, said: "It would be devastating to see the show go. Punch and Judy is a key part of Weymouth beach."

Punch and Judy shows have been going for 350 years after one was first performed at Covent Garden in London in 1662.

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A Punch and Judy show on Southwold beach in Suffolk

They reached their peak in the 1960s but interest soon dropped off when families knocked 'bucket and spade' holidays on the head in favour of package trips abroad.

In more recent years the event has faced a new threat in the form of political correct campaigners.

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Children enjoy a seafront puppet show in 1955

In 2004 Bodmin council in Cornwall banned a Punch and Judy show following complaints that it promoted domestic violence.

Some performers have fought back by introducing a health and safety official into the show to play the villain.